Senior Business Development Manager – Advanced Manufacturing

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Business Development Manager – Advanced Manufacturing to join the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) at an exciting time of regional growth and opportunity.If you’re confident engaging senior stakeholders, passionate about the future of advanced manufacturing, and thrive on identifying and securing high-value investment opportunities, this is your chance to make a real impact.

...Who are we?The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) is the region’s economic development delivery organisation. From April 2026, we will lead the delivery of regionally commissioned economic development activity aligned to the West Midlands Growth Plan, working in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local authorities. We are building a sharper, business-focused organisation that attracts investment, supports high-growth companies and drives measurable economic impact. If you want your work to shape how growth is delivered across one of the UK’s most important regions, this is your opportunity! The Role

As a Senior Business Development Manager – Advanced Manufacturing, you will play a pivotal role in attracting and securing high-value inward investment into the West Midlands.You’ll lead engagement with global and domestic manufacturing businesses, promoting the region as a premier destination for advanced manufacturing growth. Covering a range of sub-sectors, you’ll combine sector expertise, commercial acumen, and relationship management skills to generate investment opportunities and strengthen the region’s manufacturing ecosystem.Your work will directly contribute to job creation, innovation, and the global competitiveness of the West Midlands.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the development and delivery of investment strategies across key Advanced Manufacturing sub-sectors.
• Translating regional strengths into compelling value propositions to attract job-creating investment from both domestic and international markets.
• Using market insight, economic trends, and sector intelligence to identify and engage high-value investment opportunities.
• Driving lead generation and managing a pipeline of inward investment projects, delivering measurable outcomes including job creation and capital investment.
• Managing relationships with strategic manufacturing businesses in the region to support retention, expansion, and long-term growth.
• Building strong networks with industry intermediaries, including trade bodies, consultants, and government stakeholders such as the Department for Business & Trade.
• Collaborating with local authorities, universities, and private sector partners to strengthen the regional manufacturing ecosystem.
• Supporting wider inward investment activity and contributing sector expertise across WMGC teams.
• Representing the organisation at a senior level, delivering macro-level pitches and promoting the West Midlands offer globally.
• Identifying commercial and revenue-generating opportunities for partner organisations.
• Mentoring colleagues and helping to build Advanced Manufacturing knowledge across the wider team.
• Using CRM systems effectively to track activity, refine strategies, and maximise impact.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Proven experience in business development, inward investment, or sector growth within the Advanced Manufacturing sector.
• Strong consultative and commercial engagement skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Experience developing and delivering business development strategies in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing trends, technologies, and the economic drivers shaping the sector.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• A passion for regional economic development and delivering meaningful impact.

Desirable

• Background working within an advanced manufacturing business or within a professional services organisation supporting the sector.
• Knowledge of the West Midlands manufacturing ecosystem and wider business landscape.
• Experience working with public sector partners or business support programmes.
• Evidence of continuous professional development, ideally within manufacturing or technical disciplines.
• Experience mentoring or coaching others within a team environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and creativity when addressing investment or growth challenges.

What You’ll Bring

Essential

• Proven experience in business development, inward investment, or sector growth within the Advanced Manufacturing sector.
• Strong consultative and commercial engagement skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Experience developing and delivering business development strategies in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing trends, technologies, and the economic drivers shaping the sector.
• Excellent communication, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• A passion for regional economic development and delivering meaningful impact.

Desirable

• Background working within an advanced manufacturing business or within a professional services organisation supporting the sector.
• Knowledge of the West Midlands manufacturing ecosystem and wider business landscape.
• Experience working with public sector partners or business support programmes.
• Evidence of continuous professional...